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Illinois Landscape
Introduction
This Section of the Wildlife Action Plan describes the extent and quality of the Illinois landscape and how we can enhance, protect, and recover it to maintain wild populations of native species.
These landscapes include Natural Lands & Waterswhich are landscapes managed primarily for ecological benefit like Nature Preserves and Prairie Restorations). Working Lands & Waters are landscapes managed for specific human uses which also have substantial associated ecological benefits such as timber production areas or reservoirs). Finally, Developed Lands & Waters are landscapes managed almost exclusively for human use yet also serve as habitat for many native species like suburban yards and community recreational parks.
Objectives for Conserving the Illinois Landscape
- Increase the Extent of Shared Lands that support Native Species by 30%
- Increase the Capacity of Shared Lands to support Viable Populations of Native Species by 30%
- Increase the Extent of Protected Land in Illinois by 30%
- Increase the Connection and Appreciation of the public to Natural Communities by 30%
Shared Lands (and Waters) are considered areas managed to support both Native Species and human endeavors.
Conservation Action Strategies for the Illinois Landscape
The Land Protection Strategy is designed to identify, prioritize, and protect Natural Communities and the native species they support.
The Land Stewardship Strategy is designed to identify, maintain, enhance, recover and restore Natural Communities that support native species.
The Natural Community Connectivity Strategy focuses on reducing fragementation and improving connections between Natural Communities by removing barriers within or between Natural Communities through both land and water.
The Natural Community Health Strategy is designed to detect, control, and prevent invasive species and dieseases from degrading Natural Communities and the Native Species they support.
The Pollution Reduction Strategy focuses on reducing the magnitude and extent of non-point source pollution impacts on Natural Communities and the native species they support.
